Vera Nazarian

WOW what a gripper!
Qualify is a dystopian, sci-fi and YA novel set in 2047 after the human race is all facing a fatalistic oncoming asteroid that will wipe out the Earth. The descendants of the historic and sunken Atlantis are the only hope as they offer to save humanity by taking them back to their new home on a different planet; the new Atlantis. What’s the catch? Only those between the ages of 12-19 can apply to be saved and they will ONLY be saved if they qualify.

We follow the show more protagonist Gwenevere Lark through the trials and tribulations of the qualification challenges and through challenges of a more personal nature. Along with the remaining “Four Gees” (her siblings) she must learn all there is to know about Atlantis, how to fight, survive and the limits to which the body can reach before breaking. You either qualify, or you die.

This book… wow, this book! Even thought there are a LOT of dystopian YA novels out there at the moment, this is DEFINITELY worth the read. It’s kind of a combination between Hunger Games and Harry Potter… somehow. You are immersed into this world of space shuttles, sound controlled technology and hover boards and just FEEL like you’re experiencing everything along with the characters. It is incredibly well written with a pace that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout and grips you in all the best ways.

Each and every character within this book is interesting as they all struggle through their own personal developments and battles. The Atlanteans add a touch of mystery and power, which somehow intimidates us through the words in the book in the same way as their interactions with the other characters.

We actually gain knowledge through the book too thanks to our very intelligent protagonist and can really believe in the sci-fi elements in the book, which is something I personally struggle with usually. I can’t wait to learn more about Atlantis in the next book and see how certain relationships develop!

For a 600 page book it was easy to read and digest and I was left wanting more at the end. Some of the best topics covered in this novel are: life and death situations, tests of ability and competence, overcoming bullying, combat and the fighting style Er-Du, sabotage and terrorist groups and a love that you don’t know if you can trust.

I had only a few niggles: (****SPOILERS****… kind of)
How quickly candidates were prepared to kill after a strict “No Violence” rule, how bullying within the dorms went unnoticed and how easy it actually seems to qualify (since most around the main character never seem to get hurt or struggle even when ranked lowly).

Overall a highly gripping, fast-paced book with lots to think about whilst eagerly waiting for the next instalment ☺ show less

Vera Nazarian's The Duke in His Castle is a short but fascinating read about dark impulses and dark magic. The Duke of Violet is trapped in his castle by a spall, and is placid enough with his situation until a strange woman forces her way past his borders. Together they explore the castle and the boundaries of the magic that ensnares him.

The language and imagery are luscious; more than a story, this book is an exploration of the desires and constraints of humanity, with a supernatural show more twist. While not for everyone, if you enjoy the dense, luxurious prose of HP Lovecraft or Catherynne Valente, I highly recommend it. show less

A gorgeous, lush, exotic cycle of 14 short stories, beginning and ending with the city of Aramantea: In "Amarantea" Grandmother tells her grandchildren about this ruined city and in "The Story of Time" we see what exactly happened to it and to the Compass Rose. The other stories do not follow chronologically in a straight line, but we do meet recurring characters. We read of a vast desert; an unsinkable ship and her woman captain, Lero; death and the thief who stole her "shimmering" scythe; show more the Lord of Illusion, trapped in the body of a translucent horse; a girl who becomes a spring of water, a never-empty cup, a city of gold. In "The City of No-Sleep" only an assassination of its ruler will stop the city from changing each day. This happens each night while the mad king sleeps, so the inhabitants try to keep awake too.

There are villains but some figures arouse our sympathy: Nadir, the black man, Lirheas, the somber prince, Yaro, the servant girl, and "the queen with no eyes", builder of the Compass Rose. All the stories are oneiric and surreal. They have an Oriental flavor.

I feel this collection is destined to be a fantasy classic someday. Most highly recommended. show less

Cobweb Bride is an enthralling story reminiscent of a dark fairytale. Set in 17th century Europe, Death has provided the world with an ultimatum: until his Cobweb Bride is found, no one will die. This promise of eternal life sounds appealing at first, but Death’s proclamation is not without its share of horror — soldiers mutilated on the battlefield bleed out yet do not die; animals prepared for slaughter who won’t be slain; people waiting on their deathbed to take their last breath, show more which just won’t come. Across the land, inhabitants are trapped in this perverse imitation of “life,” and while many wish to restore the balance between life and death, there are others who are determined to remain in the realm of the living regardless of the cost.

The first third of the story is very slow paced, allowing for the development of multiple main characters and their associated story lines: Percy, the unappreciated daughter who embarks on a quest to become the Cobweb Bride, finding herself and her purpose along the way; the murdered princess who truly becomes alive after her death; and the dead duke’s son whose loyalty is tested when he is charged with capturing the aspiring Cobweb Brides. As these seemingly unrelated story lines intersect, the characters find themselves inextricably bound together by the same purpose: to return death to the world.

Nazarian’s writing is evocative, and beautiful. The descriptions were so detailed and lush that I found myself hanging on to every word, as opposed to skimming through the paragraphs of description in favour of the action like I do with Lord of the Rings. When the writing isn’t creating stunningly vivid images in the reader’s mind, it raises excellent points about immortality, life, death and suffering.

“It is life that fights and struggles and rages; life, that tears at you in its last agonizing throes to hold on, even if but for one futile instant longer… Whereas I, I come softly when it is all done. Pain and death are an ordered sequence, not a parallel pair. So easy to confuse the correlations, not realizing that one does not bring the other.”

Overall, Cobweb Bride is a brilliant start to a new fantasy series. Nazarian’s vivid, lush writing makes for an enjoyable read, even in the slowest portions of the book.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less